We are at an inflection point in the evolution of artificial intelligence. For decades, AI has been incubating in research labs and at the same time capturing popular imagination with science fiction portrayals of AI.

The reality is that thanks to a convergence of increasing compute power, big data and algorithmic advances, AI is becoming mainstream and finding practical applications in nearly every facet of our personal lives. Facebook identifies which friends to tag in photos, algorithms are improving medical diagnosis and saving lives, and GPS-based apps are predicting traffic patterns to optimize driving routes. The AI revolution is also taking hold in our business lives. Salesforce, for example, is democratizing AI for CRM with Einstein by giving employees across sales, service, marketing and commerce the power of machine learning. In particular we focus on learning with structured data, deep learning, natural language processing and computer vision to help our customers unlock new levels of productivity and deliver more impact to their business.

As an AI researcher, this is an incredibly exciting time for me. I believe AI technology has the potential to positively benefit society. But as it continues to advance and exert broader impact, it is important that AI evolves with trust, transparency and equality in mind. That’s why I’m excited to announce that Salesforce is joining the Partnership on AI to Benefit Society and People.

The Partnership on AI is a nonprofit formed to develop and share best practices on the development, testing and fielding of AI. The organization focuses on issues such as transparency, security and privacy, values and ethics and provides an open and inclusive platform for discussion and engagement. Its goal is to advance public understanding and awareness of AI, foster aspirational efforts and identify ways to apply AI for socially beneficial purposes.

Salesforce aims to change the way people do business, and with that, improve the state of the world. Trust, equality, innovation and growth are a central part of everything we do and we are committed to extending these values to AI by joining the Partnership’s diverse group of companies, institutions and nonprofits who are also committed to collaboration and open dialogue on the many opportunities and rising challenges around AI.